Mysterious Encounter
Service Prayers for Trinity Sunday
June 3, 2012

Scripture Lessons
-Isaiah 6: 1-8
-Psalm 29
-Romans 8: 12-17
-John 3: 1-17

Call to Worship

Leader:		Come into this household of the living God, the Three in One.  
		Gather in the wonder of the mystery that God has invited us to share in.

People:	We have come as brothers and sisters in Christ, led by the Spirit of God.  

Leader:		Ascribe to the Divine glory and strength; ascribe to God the glory that is due.  			Worship the Triune God in the Beauty of Holiness.  (Adapted from Psalm 29)

People:	Our hope is that in this time of worship and learning, 
		we might embrace what lies beyond our imagination and understanding.

Invocation

All:		O God of Mystery, 
		Within your very self you model the beloved community.
		You are the Wisdom within our hearts,
		The Word who dwells among us,
		The Spirit who calls us beyond ourselves.
		Let us know your presence here today
		In a new way, that we might celebrate your love 
		and go forth rejoicing with the Prophet Isaiah,
		saying:  “Here am I.  Send me.” (Isaiah 6:8b)

Call to Confession

		As heirs of God, let us come to lay before God 
our sin and wrongdoings and lack of faith.  
Let us come with hearts that seek newness.

Prayer of Confession

		Holy One, we acknowledge that too often we try to live 
		not acknowledging the mystery of your Being.  
		Even though you have shown us your truth, 
		we allow ourselves to rest in our own uncertainties.  
		We find ourselves unable or unwilling to embrace the love 
		through which you sent Christ to live among us.  
		We take for granted the grandeur of you as Creator, 
		of Christ as Redeemer, 
		and of the Holy Spirit as ever-present sustainer.  
		We do not live out the beloved  community you desire for all.
		Forgive us, we pray, and help us give testimony to your love.

Assurance of Pardon

		We trust in these promises: 
		that the Triune God, in each of its persons, 
		promises us newness of life, a gift of new birth.  
		The Divine Trinity invites us to testify to its Being 
		as the foundation for reconciliation all of God’s people and for Creation.  
		In these truths we trust and give thanks.  Thanks Be to God!

Call to Offering

		God is the Giver of life, Christ is the Gift sent to share our life, 
		and the Holy Spirit the power that enables us to continue 
		in generosity, justice and joy.  
		Let us open our hearts and our lives to God and one another.

Benediction

		And the peace of God which passes all understanding, 
		will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.  (Philippians 4:7, RSV)

A Note about Trinity Sunday and Language about God
	On Trinity Sunday we remember with solemnity and praise the foundation in which we live and worship throughout the year.  Trinity Sunday is the Sunday after Pentecost. We are invited to encounter God as Three in One.  The use of the Triune formula connects the church today with the historic church, born in the struggle of Christians throughout generations to express their beliefs about God in God’s Very Being. The language ties together the churches of this generation in our ecumenical life, especially in the Sacrament of Baptism.  The traditional language for the Trinity is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 
	For many, however, the traditional language is a hindrance to the intimacy of their relationship with God.  They note in particular that the tradition incorporates only male language for God, and seek to incorporate other images which point to broader understandings of the substance and characteristics of the Holy Mystery which is our Triune God. “Giver, Gift, and Holy Spirit”;  “Maker, Lover, Keeper”; “Father, Son and Holy Spirit, One God, Mother of All”; are some other Trinitarian images drawn from prayerful, scriptural reflection.  
	Our Scriptures today remind us to remain confident in God’s love and to be confident that, for those who seek to live by the truth, we are heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ. Certainly, as with the church of all ages, we express our faith in the Divine, recognizing its Mystery with the awareness that words are not sufficient.

Mysterious Encounter: Service Prayers for Trinity Sunday was written by the Rev. Dr. Bertrice Wood of Cleveland, Ohio.

Copyright 2009 Local Church Ministries, Congregational Vitality and Discipleship Ministry Team, United Church of Christ, 700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, OH  44115-1100.  Permission granted to reproduce or adapt this material for use in services of worship or church education.  All publishing rights reserved.